The man has been mocked. The man has been ridiculed. Labeled a bust. When given the Franchise Tag, many of the brain trust here ridiculed Jerry as a wasteful expenditure. Much to the rage of many, Almost Anthony was given a stay of execution.

Now, 1/4 of the way through the season (albeit 3 games), what are your thoughts on Almost Anthony?

Some food for thought: Despite missing a game, he is 4th on the team with Tackles and second in sacks along with a pass deflection.

I think most of you realize that sacks are not the end all be all, as stuffs/pressures/coverage/run support are all valuable.

The question becomes, based on this very small sample size - are you open to retaining his services? Why/Why not?_________________

In Redball I Trust!The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

So long as Spencer is not asking for a ludicrous amount of money to stay here, I'd re-sign him. If he wants a top tier contract for a 3-4 OLB, let him walk.

I've been impressed with his play thus far this season, and he and Ware definitely feed off of each other. I felt not having him in last night really hurt the defense, as Butler just isn't the same player in coverage or against the run._________________
^^^El Rammy

So long as Spencer is not asking for a ludicrous amount of money to stay here, I'd re-sign him. If he wants a top tier contract for a 3-4 OLB, let him walk.

I've been impressed with his play thus far this season, and he and Ware definitely feed off of each other. I felt not having him in last night really hurt the defense, as Butler just isn't the same player in coverage or against the run.

100% agree here. Its all about the money at this point. I think his contributions are criminally undervalued and it showed last night. I read several articles yesterday claiming that this would be Victor Butlers coming out party. He's not even close to Spencers level. The one time he got to the QB he couldn't finish the play and he was bad in run support just like he was against Seattle. He's simply a situational pass rusher. Spencer is an above average OLB. Its ludicrous to expect to have 2 Demarcus Wares manning the outsides. If he asks for the money he's actually worth or a smidgen above it, resign him. If he wants a lot more, deuces._________________

So then let's expand. What is an appropriate amount of money? Also consider supply and demand. Spencer will likely be the most experience and best 3-4OLB player in Free Agency. So what is an acceptable monetary amount? And I care less about exact figure since every year the cap will go up and up and up. But what should be be paid like? Top 5, Top 10, Top 20? Now, what do you think he can make in Free Agency?_________________

In Redball I Trust!The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

So then let's expand. What is an appropriate amount of money? Also consider supply and demand. Spencer will likely be the most experience and best 3-4OLB player in Free Agency. So what is an acceptable monetary amount? And I care less about exact figure since every year the cap will go up and up and up. But what should be be paid like? Top 5, Top 10, Top 20? Now, what do you think he can make in Free Agency?

I think the basis for a contract extension for Spencer should be based on Ahmad Brooks recent deal. Looking at the numbers, he received a 6-year, $44.5MM contract with $17.5MM guaranteed. They're very similar players, and thus far in their careers Spencer actually has had more sacks (though only about 1.5 more)._________________
^^^El Rammy

So then let's expand. What is an appropriate amount of money? Also consider supply and demand. Spencer will likely be the most experience and best 3-4OLB player in Free Agency. So what is an acceptable monetary amount? And I care less about exact figure since every year the cap will go up and up and up. But what should be be paid like? Top 5, Top 10, Top 20? Now, what do you think he can make in Free Agency?

I think the basis for a contract extension for Spencer should be based on Ahmad Brooks recent deal. Looking at the numbers, he received a 6-year, $44.5MM contract with $17.5MM guaranteed. They're very similar players, and thus far in their careers Spencer actually has had more sacks (though only about 1.5 more).

Agreed. I think that is the most appropriate deal. Spencer is very undervalued here, but I think he is arguably the best 3-4 SOLB in the NFL. And now he is starting to figure out the pass rush? Maybe he is getting that extra split second that he needed to get the sacks. I would love to see him back here_________________

So long as Spencer is not asking for a ludicrous amount of money to stay here, I'd re-sign him. If he wants a top tier contract for a 3-4 OLB, let him walk.

I've been impressed with his play thus far this season, and he and Ware definitely feed off of each other. I felt not having him in last night really hurt the defense, as Butler just isn't the same player in coverage or against the run.

This sums up my thoughts pretty perfectly to be honest. Spencer has been nothing short of amazing in run defense and he's been playing his best ball this season from the little that we have seen from his so far.

I'm not saying we win last night's game with Spencer out there but we definitely would of looked better defensively, at times Butler looked lost, like bad lost._________________PSN: BloodOps

So then let's expand. What is an appropriate amount of money? Also consider supply and demand. Spencer will likely be the most experience and best 3-4OLB player in Free Agency. So what is an acceptable monetary amount? And I care less about exact figure since every year the cap will go up and up and up. But what should be be paid like? Top 5, Top 10, Top 20? Now, what do you think he can make in Free Agency?

I think he should be paid like a Top 5 OLB, by another team. Seriously. I have no respect for Spencer. He openly admitted to not giving it his all. We need guys who will give 110% on every play, in every game, regardless of the score.

Jason Witten's performance lastnight is a perfect example of what I mean. Late in the game, it looked like some players were just going through the motions. That can't be said for Witten. He had a monster game, but it has been overshadowed by the team's overall poor performance. I want guys who have a passion for the game and give it their all.

If Spencer leaves, I'm very confident that Jerry drafts an OLB in the first round next year. I'm not saying its a bad thing necessarily. I'm just saying what will probably happen and there won't be much of an upgrade to either the offensive or defensive lines.

So then let's expand. What is an appropriate amount of money? Also consider supply and demand. Spencer will likely be the most experience and best 3-4OLB player in Free Agency. So what is an acceptable monetary amount? And I care less about exact figure since every year the cap will go up and up and up. But what should be be paid like? Top 5, Top 10, Top 20? Now, what do you think he can make in Free Agency?

I think he should be paid like a Top 5 OLB, by another team. Seriously. I have no respect for Spencer. He openly admitted to not giving it his all. We need guys who will give 110% on every play, in every game, regardless of the score.

Jason Witten's performance lastnight is a perfect example of what I mean. Late in the game, it looked like some players were just going through the motions. That can't be said for Witten. He had a monster game, but it has been overshadowed by the team's overall poor performance. I want guys who have a passion for the game and give it their all.

Spencer ain't that guy.

I think that's a fair criticism of the team. I also think a lot had to do with the atmosphere created by Wade, and the culture that surrounded it. Now, that has permeated into the fans. How sad is it the players [subtly] call out the fans to make home field actually matter?

But, with Spencer gone - what do you propose to do with the SOLB spot? Draft a player early? Ride with Butler (I believe that means re-signing him, but I need to double check that)? Do you have faith that Wilber is the answer?_________________

In Redball I Trust!The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

If Spencer leaves, I'm very confident that Jerry drafts an OLB in the first round next year. I'm not saying its a bad thing necessarily. I'm just saying what will probably happen and there won't be much of an upgrade to either the offensive or defensive lines.

Slam what would you want to see? Has Spencer impressed you this season? Has he been awful in your opinion? Would you re-sign him? If not, where would you go with that position?_________________

In Redball I Trust!The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

If Spencer leaves, I'm very confident that Jerry drafts an OLB in the first round next year. I'm not saying its a bad thing necessarily. I'm just saying what will probably happen and there won't be much of an upgrade to either the offensive or defensive lines.

Slam what would you want to see? Has Spencer impressed you this season? Has he been awful in your opinion? Would you re-sign him? If not, where would you go with that position?

It's hard to say right now but if I had to pick, I'd probably say let him walk. At a certain point this team will need to be rebuilt. I don't think I want him around for the rebuilding process.

If Spencer leaves, I'm very confident that Jerry drafts an OLB in the first round next year. I'm not saying its a bad thing necessarily. I'm just saying what will probably happen and there won't be much of an upgrade to either the offensive or defensive lines.

Slam what would you want to see? Has Spencer impressed you this season? Has he been awful in your opinion? Would you re-sign him? If not, where would you go with that position?

It's hard to say right now but if I had to pick, I'd probably say let him walk. At a certain point this team will need to be rebuilt. I don't think I want him around for the rebuilding process.

The fact it's hard to say, I take it to mean that you see value in him. Although, I think there is a distinct possibility that he is playing for a contract.

Which is fair. He walks. What do you then should be done to address the position? Wilber? FA? Draft pick (Premium, mid, late round pick)?_________________

In Redball I Trust!The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

Spencer had a good start to the season. Is he worth a long-term, huge contract? I don't know. I say that because I'm not sure which Spencer we would get. It's quite possible he would the Spencer of past years - one that takes plays or even games off and then shows up from time-to-time or this year's Spencer, who is playing on a one-year contract.

If the Boys did re-sign him, I think Brooks' contract, as Des pointed out, is a good starting point. Even then, I'm not sure about handing Spencer $17.5M upfront. So right now, I'm leaning to letting him go. With Ryan as the OC, I have confidence that he will ensure the defence's success with or without Spencer.

I'm also interested in seeing what Wilber can do. Butler doesn't look more than a backup OLB, but Wilber has good potential. Another idea would be to move Carter to OLB, where he played a bit during the pre-season._________________